The Editor:
A Fire Protection District 21 “no” vote will further deteriorate your fire and medic service.
Vote “yes” on Prop 2021-9 for adequate funding for the next six years to address: population growth, increased call volume, competitive wages and aging apparatus.
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue revenue is not keeping up with inflation. Apparatus replacement has been delayed driving up maintenance costs. In 2013, the firefighters voted to return a 2 percent wage increase to avoid layoffs and keep the public’s level of service intact.
We must support our local fire department now by approving Fire Protection District 21, Proposition 2021-9.
Kathy Berg
Blaine
The Editor:
As a close resident to Birch Bay and Harborview roads, I have had weeks of entertainment and education on the subjects of highway creation and giant tools being juggled. With the work starting at 7 a.m., the clinking of huge shovels and tools to break asphalt, the men and women appear in their bright colored outfits. Thumping and beeping of vehicles backing up, we see the road cut up, large wooden construction coming out of the deep holes, huge lengths of new shiny pipe appear and somehow get in the holes, secretly connected by hand to other pipe, the traffic stop and slow signs stay up, to be held for hours, turns when able, even personal assistance when the occasional walker needs to get to the grocery store.
Day after day these workers doing amazing things in rain, shoveling dirt back into the hole when the big machinery can’t get there. I know that regular drivers want to get to where they work, have to wait as the crew does the seemingly impossible job. Each car should wave and be grateful they aren’t one of these workers, who do all this until almost dark, a chunk of road at a time, day after rainy day. I tip my hat to them all.
Bette Bach Fineman
Blaine
The Editor:
I live on Lummi Island and our small library has served our isolated community well with monthly programs, guest speakers and a variety of fundraisers.
During this past year and a half during the pandemic the library followed all the recommended guidelines and still provided the following services:
• Books, magazines, audio books for the community with curbside pickup.
• Monthly craft kits with materials donated by the Islanders.
• Sasquatch Month where you could win a Sasquatch sticker, bookmark and a yard sign.
• A used book sale.
• Programs for teens.
• Online access.
• The Fall library cleanup was a community effort that included yard work, cleaning the windows inside and out, and cleaning inside shelving and furniture.
All these programs helped families to thrive and gave them a spirit of hope. Our library is the heart of our community.
The new Birch Bay library can become the heart of the Birch Bay community.
Terry Terry
Lummi Island
The Editor:
I’ve been working toward the Birch Bay Vogt Community Library since 2015 when our chamber of commerce created a library committee. Its mission was to find a way to provide a full-service library to the residents and visitors to Birch Bay. In 2016, a library survey of 1000-plus community members showed 82 percent in support of a library and 80 percent in favor of a tax to fund it. In 2017, the library committee transitioned into a Friends of Birch Bay Library (FOBBL) group, and a .86-acre waterfront property came available.
After exploring other possibilities, and with due diligence, the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) board purchased the property with the understanding that FOBBL would be responsible for raising funds to build the library, reimbursing WCLS for the purchase of the land. Branch libraries of WCLS typically own their buildings, with WCLS providing staff, collection and all the necessities of operating a top-notch library.
Four community input sessions throughout 2018 resulted in the conclusion that a library could be built that would honor the Vogt house’s Craftsman design – even if the house itself could not be preserved. FOBBL efforts increased through 2019 to raise the necessary funds, which included donations from the BP Cherry Point Refinery, the C Shop, a Washington State Department of Commerce allocation of $2 million, and many other supporters. After Covid-19 complicated fundraising efforts in 2020, it was decided that a Library Capital Facilities Area (LCFA) process was necessary to retain the $2 million grant set to expire in 2023. This will require a slight increase in property taxes within the area, which is calculated on the assessed value, usually far less than the market value.
For more information, go to yeswhatcomlibraries.org.
Ruth Higgins, FOBBL board member
and former secretary
Birch Bay
The Editor:
On November 2, the voters of Blaine will determine the candidates they wish to serve on the new city council. As now written, all voters in the city are allowed to cast a ballot for all council positions. Even though the voters in a specific ward favor a specific candidate that individual may not be elected because of votes cast in the other two wards. This needs to be changed. The general election should be district/ward only voting. This would allow individuals elected by vote of ward residents to have their choice serve their ward. Blaine City Council has the authority to make that change.
The candidates for city council generally appear to favor development of the downtown area. Little mention is made of the needs of the local residents. Many of these folks have lived in the city for many years. These are the folks who get the high sewer bill each month, may live on a fixed income, see the assessed value of their homes sky rocket, see minimal increase in Social Security benefits, see savings rates of less than 1 percent and, even if they could sell, what housing is available in Blaine for these folks?
There is a concern that code violations have to be reported by email. Based on the city’s demographics, this is somewhat unrealistic for the non-techies. A telephone call works well for these folks. With city vehicles out and about, it should be obvious when some violations occur and the city employees can report the problem.
With the proposed medical facility being built in Blaine next year, it is imperative that it meet the needs of the community. This includes school age to the elderly.
Best of luck to the council candidates.
Dennis M. Olason
Blaine
The Editor:
Kerena Higgins will be an excellent addition to Blaine City Council, and I strongly recommend that you vote for her for the Ward 1 Position 2 seat.
I have worked with Kerena over the past 20 years, and we have also served on a non-profit board together. As attorneys, we often represented very different interests in cases. I always found that Kerena was hard working, professional and a strong advocate for her client (the state of Washington). I also found her to be a team player who would listen to all sides of matters and work toward resolutions that were beneficial to all parties.
In our service together as directors on a local non-profit board, Kerena has always been well prepared for meetings and generous with her time and legal knowledge. She cares deeply about her community and works hard to make it a better place. I believe that she would bring all of these strengths to her work on Blaine City Council.
Vote for Higgins for Ward 1.
Marilyn McLean
Bellingham
The Editor:
Every four years there is a presidential election. Voters get involved and turn out in droves. But the often-neglected elections that occur between those four years have a great impact on our everyday lives. This year we are electing candidates for Whatcom County Council, Port of Bellingham, cities, school districts, fire districts, water districts, cemetery districts, park districts and hospital districts.
Right here in Birch Bay, our ballots will offer the opportunity to choose a county council member and Barry Buchanan is an experienced and effective candidate worthy of your vote for the member-at-large position. Michael Shepard is an incumbent running for re-election and Kelly Krieger is a first-time candidate for port commission. Both are intent on improving and expanding high-speed internet and affordable housing. Jesse Creydt and Billy Brown, both dedicated to serving their community, are running for re-election for park and recreation district 2.
Fire Protection District 21 (Proposition 2021-9) is appealing to voters for sufficient funding to ensure residents are adequately served in case of fire or emergency health care.
Whatcom County Rural Library District (Proposition 2021-14) invites you, with your “yes” vote, to be one of the creators of a full-service library in Birch Bay.
For more information on any of the above, see your free voters pamphlet so you can fill out the ballot you automatically received in the mail. Then you can return it in the drop box at the fire station on Birch Bay-Lynden Road, or mail it in your postage-free envelope, prior to November 2. My wife and I vote because we can, and hope that you will, too.
Al Krause
Birch Bay
The Editor:
On behalf of the Blaine Booster Club and the Hall of Fame committee, I would like to thank all who attended BHS’s 2nd Athletic Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Even though we had to change the venue, the event was successful, and the inductees were duly recognized for their past achievements. They were all appreciative of the honor bestowed upon them and for the fantastic crowd that braved the weather.
We would like to thank the following for their time, donations and/or efforts to make it so successful. A big thank you to Molly and The Northern Light for the write-up of the induction. You did another great job. Also to Dave Freeman at AMS. All enjoyed the program and team certificates. A special thanks to Janelle Kortlever for taking pictures to immortalize the event. Also to the Blaine school district and Christopher Granger, Sean Linville, Alan Pomeroy, Tim Walter and Mike Dahl for their work. To our major donators: Jarod Liebert, West Mechanical, Hill’s Chevron, Pam Markusen and to all other donators – we very much appreciate your support. A very special thank you to Pat Hinchey who donated a beautiful “Borderite” quilt for a raffle. The money raised will go to offset our costs. Congratulations to the winner: Amber Ingersoll.
We are looking forward to hosting the 3rd annual induction next fall. We hope to see you there. Remember to submit your nominations at: blaineathleticboosterclub.com
Gary Clausen, Hall of Fame
committee
Blaine
The Editor:
Like many of you I have been dismayed with the current divisions in our society by people of various opinions on a number of issues.
My concern is how do we change direction and reach consensus? We are neighbors, friends and family. We probably all want many of the same things – to feel safe in our homes and towns, to raise our children to be honest and decent people, to treat others with respect, while receiving respect from people we meet. We want clean water to drink, clean air to breath, a stable world to plan our future.
Why do we tend to stereotype strangers, fear the unknown, distrust our elected officials? How do we better understand and interact together? Many of us follow a religion that teaches us to treat and help others, to be fair and to be trustworthy individuals.
I don’t expect this letter to change any minds, but perhaps maybe one or two people will stop to question their actions and realize that we can act and be the person we admire. We can reach outside ourselves and be better citizens and decent individuals.
Naomi Murphy
Ferndale
The Editor:
Eric Davidson should be re-elected to Blaine City Council. As someone who has lived in Blaine most of my life and known Eric for over 15 years, I have no doubt that he truly cares about our community and its future.
Over the years, I’ve watched him thoughtfully converse with any one and everyone in our city, often keeping me informed about current local issues. He has been involved in neighborhood activities, city committees and most recently city council.
As part of a family that has lived in this community for generations and is now raising a family here, I’m confident that Eric has the needs of all our citizens in mind when there are decisions to be made. I believe he’s committed to helping ensure the future safety and quality of life in Blaine. Please vote for Eric Davidson.
Elizabeth Lang
Blaine
The Editor:
The Birch Bay Library will tear down and destroy our beautiful historic landmark, the Vogt House, on Birch Bay Drive. It is one of the few old buildings left at Birch Bay.
Everyone at Birch Bay was very pleased when the library acquired the Vogt property and would save the house. When they announced their plans, it called for the destruction of the Vogt house and the building of an ugly replica as part of their new building.
The library supporters say you can buy the house for $1 and move it. They make all kinds of excuses why they will not preserve this beautiful house. If it can be moved, why will the library not move it to the front of the property and build their library right behind it. A good stonemason could preserve the magnificent stonework on the house.
A library in Birch Bay would be great, but not with the destruction of the Vogt House. Do not force me to pay for that destruction with my tax dollars.
Vote “no” on Proposition 2021-14 and save our historic Vogt House.
Arne Cleveland
Birch Bay
The Editor:
I have been friends with Rhyan Lopez for more than 20 years now. During our Borderite high school days, we played varsity football together and went to state in track and field in multiple events.
Through both personal and professional hardships, Rhyan has proven that he is more than capable in handling the pressure and difficulties that come with public office. His experience and background in finance and business make him a prepared and informed candidate.
Rhyan has been an active member of our community for many years now and has always been dependable and trustworthy. He is always the first to volunteer and never asks for anything in return.
He is a good friend, a loving father and would be a great asset on city council. I encourage all to vote for Rhyan for Blaine City Council this election.
Cory Crews
Blaine
The Editor:
Please note that we are only voting to establish the library district area.
Please look at the map on page 140 on your voters’ pamphet and vote “no,” if you do not want to be included in the Birch Bay library district.
Read the first sentence on page 137 carefully.
Cathy Cleveland
Birch Bay
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